[Dante]

He seems to me like somebody who's used to being the cleverest player on the pitch. But none of his tricks are working in England because the defenders are too canny to fall for them. He either needs to try something new or take the simpler option more often.

It also has to be said that he's been double marked in almost every game so far. I went back to re-watch the Sunderland game and difference between the space he got and how much Young was afforded was stark. It's good that he's drawing attention away from his teammates, but if doesn't use the ball better it counts for nought.

 

[Scorpy]

Teams are parking the bus against United so it was always going to be harder for Memphis against 2 or 3 defenders at a time. He also needs time to adjust to the league, but also needs to learn to make the right decision as his play is too individual sometimes. There were times in the Sunderland game where he beat his man and then wanted to beat 1 or 2 more players instead of looking for the pass right away, which led him nowhere and the ball was lost.

He's not as invincible with the ball at his feet as other players, so he should improve his decision making faster and play smarter so he could be more effective in the domestic league. I'm sure he'll become a great player for us, though. The talent is there and he's making an impact right away despite some annoying performances, which were always going to happen for a player arriving in a new league. People should know better than to expect some phenomenal consistency from a 21 year old player and it's been said by Van Gaal multiple times - we need to give him some time to show what's he's truly capable of.

4 goals and 4 assists so far is a great return and long may it continue. His play in our third goal vs Southampton showed exactly why he's starting for us.

 

[Cnaiür urs Skiötha]

I guess the performances of Martial put some additional pressure on him. No one would expect a 21 years old player from a weaker league to come to United and immediately set the world on fire.
However, Martial did exactly that and is even younger.

I do not worry too much as Memphis clearly has the attributes.

 

[Bestie07]

He has four assists

 

[Sam]

Yes he has. He's scored a superb goal from range against Brugges and great feet to beat his man on numerous occasions, most recently when he hit the post in that 45 pass goal. He also hit a great cross for that last minute winner by Fellaini.

He's been very inconsistent and only occasionally played with confidence but all the elements are there. He just needs to put them together.

He hasn't shown anything close to Nani's dribbling ability. For all of Nani's faults (and there were plenty!) his dribbling ability was always absolutely first class. He could consistently beat players for fun, something Memphis been able to do at all, bar the odd trick here and there.

 

[Sid234]

I actually think Marital's arrival and performances have taken a lot of the attention off him. Everyone is raving about Martial and similarly a lot of expectation to be the breakout young player for the season has transferred onto Martial from him.

Will it help him? I dunno, maybe he's someone who thrives when all the attention is on him but getting the limelight taken off him now could also help him settle into the team without fans expecting him to dribble past every defender in the league and play like CR7. He's probably a little behind when Ronaldo was at 21, but he's not too far off. Needs to get used to being marked by 2 players every match

 

[khoazany]

He hasn't shown anything close to Nani's dribbling ability. For all of Nani's faults (and there were plenty!) his dribbling ability was always absolutely first class. He could consistently beat players for fun, something Memphis been able to do at all, bar the odd trick here and there.

Memphis just isn't that type of player.He can pull out tricks here and there but he's not the type of dribbler that can beat players for fun.

 

[Sam]

Memphis just isn't that type of player.He can pull out tricks here and there but he's not the type of dribbler that can beat players for fun.

Which was exactly my original point, him and Nani aren't similar players. And any comparisons between the two are just lazy. As lazy as the the Nani/Ronaldo comparisons were.

 

[NecssryEvil]

The problem with the Ronaldo/Nani comparisons is the supporting cast that each were put into. This team is still getting their chops down, the ones they were being worked into were established and everyone's roles were clear. You can argue the strengths of these teams/supporting casts but I don't think you can argue that the stability of the SAF teams at that point are well ahead of the team we have now.

The philosophy is starting to sink in but we are still working several new players into the squad and to point at any one individual, or to say that one switch will fix things I think is a bit naive, not to mention unfair to the one in your sights. I see no benefit at this point in time in putting him on the bench and starting AY, these guys need time together. There were a few times that Mata or Martial came over to the left side and I swear they were all standing there with that "ok, I am here, now what?" look on their face. Once they have all been playing together for a while, and know what the other guys is going to do instinctively, then we will start to see the potential start to shine through. The players are all thinking too much (cept DDG) but we are getting closer to the point were you are seeing things click here and there. And, we are top of the league while this is going on, not to shabby of a place to be while working out the kinks.

Bottom line, I just think we should give him at least another 11 games before we DiMaria him.

 

[Bwuk]

So, for a second season in a row people on here are wanting a very talented expensive summer signing, who's putting up good numbers, to be benched for Ashley Young?

What?

Memphis needs game time. Putting him in and out of the side won't do any good. With him and Mata either side of Martial we possess serious goal threat.

 

[Shark]

A lot of posters on here banging on about his lack of consistency is very harsh. He's 21 ffs.

 

[Brightonian]

I reckon most people are happy with him so far, it's just that the ones who aren't are more noticeable. I'd be interested to see a poll to that effect.

 

[AR87]

Honestly just seems like he's pressing to do too much at times in addition to trying to do it as fast as possible. Just needs to slow down and calm himself and the performances will improve. He's been okay just not great and that's understandable for a player moving to a new league.

Even then 4 goals and 4 assists in all competitions is a nice return with the added benefit that he seems to be improving his work rate defensively and generally seems to give a shit which wasn't the case with Di Maria.

 

[Longlivekeano]

Give Memphis half or a full season to adjust himself to the pace, intensity, strength and style of the league.

I remember Arsenal's signings like Bergkamp, Henry and Pires really struggled in their first year. And they were like 22-26 years old when they signed from Serie A, French Ligue.

Seriously feel we will see the best of him in a years time or so. In the mean time, we should expect him to be a it frustrating and make wrong decisions. Its all part of the learning curve. We can learn from Wenger in the sense he gave his foreign contingent at least 1-2 years to adapt before making another signing.

Will be the same for Memphis.

Even Blind has looked so much better with us this year compared to last year.

 

[podurban2]

Give Memphis half or a full season to adjust himself to the pace, intensity, strength and style of the league.

I remember Arsenal's signings like Bergkamp, Henry and Pires really struggled in their first year. And they were like 22-26 years old when they signed from Serie A, French Ligue.

Seriously feel we will see the best of him in a years time or so. In the mean time, we should expect him to be a it frustrating and make wrong decisions. Its all part of the learning curve. We can learn from Wenger in the sense he gave his foreign contingent at least 1-2 years to adapt before making another signing.

Will be the same for Memphis.

Even Blind has looked so much better with us this year compared to last year.

Nice post.

 

[kafta]

This forum is puzzling at times. Half the people on here spent the best part of the last year spewing bullcrap about how we've lost our identity and don't invest in young players anymore.

Now we've signed one of Europe's best young talents, who is already producing a decent assists/goals return, and he's been given up on.

I know LVG with stick with him, and once he develops properly, we will have quite a player on our hands.

 

[ants7]

Probably will become good but still shouldn't wear fake gold teeth.

 

[adexkola]

I understand the calls to give him time. But he has flattered to deceive in the league. Being "happy" at his overall outings on the wing is selling his presumed talent short.

 

[Feed Me]

Feck me, the negativity towards Memphis is strong.

And we are a club that prides itself on giving youth a chance...

 

[ivaldo]

As a defender who would you dread coming up against more, Young or Depay? Exactly.

 

[Dante]

I don't think anybody is giving up on him or being negative, really. At worst, there are posts trying to diagnose where he's struggling and attempting to come up with possible solutions that may help him.

 

[Dante]

As a defender who would you dread coming up against more, Young or Depay? Exactly.

That question isn't as rhetorical as you seem to be implying.

 

[UnitedBoy]

What is his goal/assist return so far? I'm sure it's nothing to complain about

 

[ivaldo]

That question isn't as rhetorical as you seem to be implying.

I think if you asked 100 defenders this question it would be incredibly one sided.

 

[RedDevil@84]

I dont know why any criticism towards him is being met with stuff like "negativity", "he is just a kid" arguments.
If he is a kid and is trying to do too much, thus missing simple things, then it needs to be pointed out and I am sure the coach or his staff will tell him to calm down and how to do things right.
If his FK abilities or crossing abilities are average or below, then the staff will be telling him what to do right.

Saying people are negative because they criticize I think beats the purpose of having a thread on performances.
Unless of course one is saying Memphis is crap (which he is not) and needs to be sold asap (which is mental) is taking an extreme view.

 

[Kill 'em all]

Let's just ignore his excellent performances in the champions league and his very important contribution so far and say he's average.

4 assists 4 goals so far and he's average. He's already scored and assisted more than some of the best players in the league. How daft can you be?

What is his goal/assist return so far? I'm sure it's nothing to complain about

4 and 4 in 11 appearances.

 

[Anderson18]

I think some expected a Hazard like debut in the EPL or something like that. Give him some time and he'll come good. I think he knows that he can do much better and will do his best to improve.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Obviously, stats can be misleading, so we shouldn't decide he's been playing well just because of those 4 and 4. What encourages me, though, has been the quality of the goals and the glimpses of real quality we've seen when scoring/creating those goals. Something else worth considering is that he's been getting stick for his poor finishing (which is fair) but he'd be comfortably our top scorer if he'd taken the relatively easy chances he's missed. He has a nack for getting into goal-scoring positions, which is a very good thing and will mean he gets more and more prolific as he settles, grows in confidence and starts to slot a higher % of his opportunities (which is inevitable, really)

 

[Rozay]

I have no concerns at all personally. We have got a real top talent on our hands I'm convinced. Everytime I watch us I can't help imagine our attack if we didn't add Martial. We'd be really, really ordinary.

 

[DWelbz19]

His stats in the league are poor. He has 1 goal and 1 assist in 7 games. I'm all for giving him time, but people really should remember that the Brugge matches are boosting his stats a lot.

 

[R'hllor]

This place...posts of some...amount negativity vs young player coming from Dutch league in his first PL season,some say how fans know their football,nope,they just want more instant things and being thicker then ever,if we dont win a thing for few years,i fear some might not be able to take it.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

His stats in the league are poor. He has 1 goal and 1 assist in 7 games. I'm all for giving him time, but people really should remember that the Brugge matches are boosting his stats a lot.

And the match against Ipswich. And the game against PSV.

Basically, he's scored and created goals in every competition he's played in and this is being used as evidence against him. Hmmmm...

 

[JPRouve]

Probably will become good but still shouldn't wear fake gold teeth.

Gold teeth aren't always fake?

 

[DWelbz19]

And the match against Ipswich. And the game against PSV.

Basically, he's scored and created goals in every competition he's played in and this is being used as evidence against him. Hmmmm...

Exactly half of his goals and assists came against Brugge, if that's the sort of stat that impresses you - go crazy. To big his stats up for scoring and assisting against Ipswich and Brugge is crazy, and to suggest it's bad to rationalise the situation regarding his stats is even more baffling.

 

[Di Maria's angel]

He'll come good. The fact that he's shown he's capable of performing in the CL and CC (to some extent) illustrates his potential. It also highlights his struggles to cope and adjust to the pace of the league. At times, you get the feeling he's playing in slow motion, however, with time and experience this guy will turn into the beast we expect him to be.

Exciting times ahead.

 

[Striker10]

No problem with him. He's shown he can be effective. If the the goals and assists keep creeping up, then he'll have had a fairly good first season. He strikes the ball very well so he's just got to start taking more care with that final ball.

 

[Borys]

Memphis thread so far:
-he’s been very good in Europe, but he’s clearly struggling in the league. Maybe we should use him as a sub and rotate with Young or Pereira? His stats in the league are not impressive either.
-ffs, give him time, he’s young, and he’s not been bad in the EPL he still has 4 goals and 4 assisits in all competition*!

*my favourite argument, people overlook the fact that he got half of those numbers in CL qualification games, just to prove he isn’t that bad in the league.

Very low level of discussion in this thread. You can’t criticize him at all because a bunch of people will jump on you for being negative.

His stats in the league are poor. He has 1 goal and 1 assist in 7 games. I'm all for giving him time, but people really should remember that the Brugge matches are boosting his stats a lot.

This.

 

[Smores]

Yeah I just read back to see where all the criticisms were that sparked so much defensiveness, there doesn't seem to be any so I'm confused.

Young player is inconsistent shocker.

 

[Dante]

I have no problem with his output. I think his passing and dribbling are what need more work.

 

[RedDevil@84]

Memphis is struggling "in the league" with Young outperforming him in couple of occasions. Probably due to being young, adapting to new league, Mata being crap thus putting multiple defenders on Memphis.

Now, what should we do?

- Give him start after start after start, regardless of whether he plays excellent or average. Coz hey!! If you dont play him, he ll never improve.

- Give others (Young or Pereira) starts and put Memphis on subs

Which side will you choose?